For a’ That, and a’ That

(A Man’s a Man)

Is there for honest poverty,

That hangs his head and a’ that?

The coward-slave, we pass him by,

We dare be puir for a’ that!

For a’ that and a’ that,

Our toils obscure, and a’ that;

The rank is but the guinea stamp;

The man’s the gowd for a’ that.

What tho’ on hamely fare we dine,

Wear hodden grey, and a’ that;

Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,

A man’s a man for a’ that.

For a’ that and a’ that,

Their tinsel show and a’ that,

The honest man tho’ e’er sae puir,

Is king o’ men for a’ that.

Ye see yon birkie ca’d a lord,

Wha struts, and stares, and a’ that;

Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,

He’s but a cuif for a’ that:

For a’ tha,t and a’ that,

His riband, star, and a’ that,

The man o’ independent mind,

He looks and laughs at a’ that.

A king can mak a belted knight,

A marquis, duke, and a’ that;

But an honest man’s aboon his might,

Guid faith he mauna fa’ a’ that:

For a’ that and a’ that,

Their dignities, and a’ that;

The pity o’ sense, and pride o’ worth,

Are higher rank than a’ that.

Then let us pray that come it may,

As come it will for a’ that;

That sense and worth, o’re a’ the earth,

Shall bear the gree, and a’ that.

For a’ that and a’ that,

Its comin’ yet for a’ that,

That man to man the world o’er,

Shall brithers be for a’ that.